Hydroxychoraquine and eye test

[babssara]

Hi

I have today been to an eye appointment at my local hospital. They told me that here are new guidelines for patients of Hydrox. Did full eye test and now need to go for a scan and field tests. Does anybody know of these new guidelines and what they mean?

Babs x

[oldtimer]

There's a reassuring summary of recent advice for the USA here:

aao.org/clinical-statement/...

and for the UK here:rcophth.ac.uk/wp-content/up...

[Poshcards in reply to oldtimer]

hi, the UK one is not showing in blue as a link, so cannot access it x

[oldtimer in reply to Poshcards]

There's an updated version pasted in later in this thread. But you can always copy and paste it into something like Google if the link doesn't do it automatically.

[Poshcards in reply to oldtimer]

Yes thanks, I saw it after hitting the reply button xx

[babssara]

Many thanks, I have printed it and will study it.

Babs x

[helixhelix]

These are the more recent UK guidelines

rcophth.ac.uk/wp-content/up...

[babssara]

Many thanks Helix

Babs x

[BoneyC]

Over the last 10 years that I've taken HCQ I have never been offered a hospital eye test, until now. I have however had annual/bi annual eye tests on the high street.

In his recent letter, my rheumatologist wrote:-

Please can you kindly refer to ophthalmology for OCT / Amsler chart testing as the patient is on hydroxychloroquine. This is in keeping with recent Royal College of Ophthamology guidelines.

Another interesting point he wrote about doseage:-

I have advised that the patient should have a yearly optician appointment whilst on hydroxychloroquine - her dose should be 200mg OD please (based upon body weight).

For the last 10 years I was prescribed 400mg a day and my weight has not changed!

[HungryHufflepuff]

Since Tricity posted over here about his lung transplant I've been interloping and haven't unloped because there are some informative posts like about hydroxychloroquine which my mum has just started taking but neither of us had heard of. She had an appointment at the optician to assess her eyes before starting the medication and has been told to go to the optician every 6 months.

[puffyface]

I’ve got a hospital appointment today too because of hydroxychloroquinine. My rheumy rang, my gp rang (unheard of!) and the practice nurse rang. All independently and all saying I needed a proper eye check. I think they’ve discovered some bad side effects with the drug. Worse than they used to think. Will read the advice. Thanks

[Hidden]

I got eye tests at Manchester University optometry department when I started on HCQ six months ago. They did the full range of tests, but said they had never come across anyone having eye trouble from HCQ. Apparently the older quinine drugs, including hydrochloroquine, were much worse.

They said I should go for another test in a year's time or if anything changed. However, the Patient Information Leaflet in the box with the tablets states testing should be "at least every 12 months" and "if you are over 65 [or] need to take a high dose (2 tablets a day) ... this examination should be performed more often."

As I am 71 and have been taking 2 tablets a day, I have booked an appointment 6 months after the first.

Don't take risks with your eyes.

[babssara]

Thanks to all who have replied. I am reading through the information you have supplied.

Babs

[Pulfs]

I always have a complete eye exam at my optician which has been all been fine. This time because of new guide lines on hydrochloquine she asked my Dr for referral to hospital eye department. Good thing it's not urgent as appointment came through for Feb 14th 2020 🙄

[Hidden]

I’m not sure about guidelines but field tests and scan should be done at every eye test regardless